Media Production 1

Media Production 1, classes 9-12 is designed to introduce students to the Media Industry with emphasis on the fundamentals of video photography, video sequencing, audio recording, and video editing. Using state of the art professional video equipment, students explore the technical and creative art skills needed to construct a compelling visual story. This course also encourages students to look at media critically, expound on the essential 21st media literacy skills, and promote visual communication.

Sample Student Work

Project # 1: The Scavenger Hunt

The most basic skill of Media Production is the use of the camera. Camera Operation is the most fundamental skill required in Media Production. Students will learn the technical controls of the camera, the functions of the lens, focus, and tripods. Students will then develop artistic skill with video photography by using principles of composition.

Mini Project #1: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

In this project, students explore the various types of camera angles used to visually communicate to a viewer. Students critically view the iconic scene from Sergio Leone's "The Good, The Bad, The Ugly," and analyze the types of camera shots used in the story. Students are then challenged to recreate that scene, using similar camera angles.

Project # 2: The Secret Handshake

Students will begin to learn how to communicate with visuals using Video Sequencing. By using a combination of wide, medium, and tight shots, students will be able to tell a story that communicates effectively to the viewer. In this project students have to create a storyboard and then sequence a visual story that includes a secret handshake.

Mini Project #2: The Song

In this mini project, students are trained how to use professional microphones, microphone placement, and audio editing with Final Pro X. Students are challenged to record various sounds found from the objects in their backpacks. Students then edit the sounds together to create a song.

Project #3: The Audio Project

Video can be a very powerful tool when communicating to the viewer. When paired with audio, the effectiveness exponentially grows. Students will be exposed to microphones and sound, and how to use these tools in conjunction to video production. By using microphones and proper microphone placement techniques, students will be able to record a basic conversation between a group of people. In addition, students will also learn how to write a script, and produce a script in the proper two column script format. In this project, students randomly select a topic of conversation out of a hat. Students will create a video brief, write a two column script, complete a storyboard, and then produce the video.

Project #4: The Final Project

In this culminating and final project, students are given the choice to produce a video from start to end. Students are given the opportunity to explore various options for their final project, including a public service announcement, a short film, or a movie trailer mashup.